You want to make a difference in the world. Why wait?! Find your future opportunities to be the change you want to see at the Public Service and Nonprofit Careers Fair on October 22, 1:00–3:00 p.m. via Handshake. The Public Service and Nonprofit Careers Fair is for any students interested in a job or internship in public service, government, social service, or the nonprofit sector—or students who want to learn about potential future opportunities, even if you’re not ready to apply right now. There are also opportunities for students looking for part-time work while you’re in school. For a complete list of employers featured at this year’s fair—including filters to help you search by job type, industry, region, majors, or other criteria, check out Handshake.

If you’re trying to decide if this is the right fair for you, let us help you bust five myths that might be holding you back from signing up!

Myth #1: It’s too early for me to be talking to a recruiter about jobs after graduation, it’s only October! 

FALSE. If you’re a junior or senior, the fall is the best time to start exploring options for a summer internship, year of service/gap year, or job for after you graduate. Many employers interview candidates and extend offers before winter break, so now is the time to check out potential opportunities, connect with recruiters, and submit applications.

Myth #2: You have to be a psychology/family and human services/etc. major to work in the public sector or for a nonprofit.

FALSE. While there are several organizations recruiting human services–related majors, there are opportunities for all majors, including the humanities, business, and communications. Nonprofits and government departments need all kinds of folks to help run their organizations, from administrative to operations, finance, IT, and marketing roles—it’s not just about the front-line folks providing direct services (although those roles are important!).

Myth #3: A career in public service, government, or a nonprofit isn’t a good fit for my interests, skills, and abilities.

FALSE. Here are some skills or attributes that are a great fit for careers in public service or nonprofits:

• Helping others: You enjoy connecting with people and helping them to solve problems.
• Growth mindset: You believe that you can learn more or develop your abilities through hard work and perseverance.
• Teamwork: You know how to be a great team member and collaborate with others to complete a project.
• Creative problem-solving: You are resourceful and can find new and creative solutions to problems.
• Business skills: Non-profits and government agencies hire everyone from accountants to marketing professionals to IT systems engineers. Use your business skills to make a social impact. 

Myth #4: Public service jobs don’t provide you with career growth opportunities.

FALSE. Working in a nonprofit, government, or public sector job will provide you with lots of on-the-job opportunities to develop new skills and identify future career path possibilities. Graduates of service programs like the Peace Corps, Teach for America, City Year, and others are highly sought-after by all kinds of employers who value the skills that their alumni possess and often recruit directly from these programs. Plus, these programs offer tuition reimbursement or for future education, among other benefits.

Myth #5: The fair doesn’t have the types of jobs or internships I’m looking for.

There’s more variety than you think! At the fair, you can talk directly with recruiters hiring for roles such as:

• Direct support professional to assist individuals with medical, behavioral, or developmental support needs (both full- and part-time opportunities)
• Intake, prevention, and outreach specialist roles for social assistance organizations
• Business, admin, IT, finance, marketing, and other operations roles for government entities such as the General Services Administration (GSA), City of Eugene, and Lane Transit District
• Service programs, such as the Peace Corps, Teach for America, City Year, and others
• Mental health therapist (requires a graduate degree)
• Campus organizer for public interest groups
• Activity leader for local youth programs

So what are you waiting for?Get registered today to find your future in the public service and nonprofit sector!